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Fresta Valley Christian School has offered Debate and Forensics (competitive speech) for students in 9th through 12th grade since 2005. Students who compete in debate and speech develop skills that contribute to future academic, career and life success. Tournaments are sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Forensics League, a chapter of the Mid-Atlantic District of the National Forensics League (NFL). We have had students compete at the national tournament of the National Forensics League in 2008 and 2010. The National Forensics League, founded in 1926, is the oldest and most respected high school debating society in the United States and is the only national honor society offered at Fresta Valley. Mission The Mission of Fresta Valley’s Debate and Forensics team is to engage our culture for Christ. The inspiration for our mission is taken from Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17. We believe this can best be accomplished in two ways; through the substance of our spoken words and through the visibility of our actions. Learning to engage an audience through speech helps our students to understand how to communicate effectively through pitch, tone, body language, emotion, facial expression and even silence. Effective public speaking also includes the ability to think critically and to understand arguments on both sides of a debate. We believe that practice and competition in persuasive public speaking effectively polishes these skills enabling students to engage others in our culture and bring to them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we believe that our actions toward others often speak louder than our words. Our students learn to dress professionally and to act respectfully and courteously toward each other, the judges and other competitors. Finally students also learn what it means to take a stand, publicly, on principles that we hold true as Christians. Sometimes this involves being the only student in a competition round to urge a particular position. Debate and Forensics competition teaches our students to be the "lonely voice" graciously and courageously by learning to speak the truth in love. See Ephesians 4:15. Commitment:

*Cost: $100 activity fee (to be paid by the first tournament – Oct. 7)

*Must attend one competition per month October through January. Students in Competitive Speech are required to participate in two events per competition. Debate students chose one event.

*Occasional weekend competitions - optional, but highly encouraged.

*Parents will need to alternate serving as judges. We will provide training before the first tournament.

*Transportation to competitions is expected to be by school bus. However, if a bus is not available, parents serving as judges will be asked to drive. Reimbursement for gas will be provided.

*Competition uniform- dark suit (skirt for ladies), colored shirt, tie (for guys), dress shoes, hose/dark socks.

*On tournament days, students should bring water/snacks and some spending money for refreshment stops. Class vs. No Class

*Students with no scheduling conflicts should enroll in Competitive Speech or Debate to be held during last period. This class will fulfill the speech graduation requirement or serve as an elective if this requirement has already been fulfilled. Following the competitive season, regular course work will be offered which will include presentations and projects.

*Students who can not take the last period class may still be a member of the team. However, participation on the team will not fulfill the graduation requirement or earn the student an elective credit. Students should notify Mrs. King or Mrs. Hailey by Sept. 7th if you plan to participate in order to schedule coaching sessions after school. Tournament schedule: Monthly tournaments are generally located along Route 81 from Front Royal to Harrisonburg.

October 7(Thursday)- ShenVaFL 1

November 4(Thursday)- ShenVaFL 2

December 2 (Thursday)- ShenVaFL 3

January 8 (Saturday)- Tor Johnson (ShenVaFL championship – must have placed in top 6 in an earlier tournament)

January 21&22 (Friday/Saturday)- States/NFL Qualifiers Must have earned membership into the NFL to participate.

March 8 (6:00 pm, Tuesday) – Awards Banquet (Students perform their competition material for family, friends and staff and receive their NFL pins and varsity letters/pins.) Varsity Lettering

Students can earn a varsity for their participation on the team with the completion of the following requirements:

* attends all regional tournaments from October-December

* attends the regional championship (must have placed in top 6 at one of the earlier regional events)

* attends the State/National qualifier (must have earned membership in the NFL) Notes to Homeschoolers

*In addition to the team fee ($100), homeschooled students must also pay an enrollment fee of $125. This one-time, annual fee is required for participation in forensics, sports teams and orchestra. If you plan to participate, please enroll by September 3rd.

*Homeschoolers are asked to attend class about two days each week from September through January. The class meets from 2:15-3:05 each day.

*When attending class, please observe our dress code. Details can be found in the student handbook you will be given when you enroll. Competitive Events Debate Events Lincoln-Douglas Debate: One person event involving debate on resolutions designed to explore the ethics and values of liberty, equality and freedom in an ideal "just society". Resolutions relate to current topics of controversy in U.S. domestic and international issues. This event is inspired by the historical debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. Competitors who choose Lincoln-Douglas Debate compete in this event only in any given tournament during the regular season due to tournament time restraints. Public Forum Debate: Two-person team debate on current issues patterned after the CNN Crossfire format. This is the only event in which a competitor may participate in any given tournament during the regular season. Student Congress Debate: Mock congress on contemporary political issues currently before the U.S. Congress. Speech/Interpretation Events

Declamation: A memorized historical speech. Dramatic Interpretation: Single person competitive acting without props of a dramatic scene from a published play. Humorous Interpretation: Single person competitive acting without props of a scene from a published comedic play. Duo Interpretation: Two person team acting without props of a humorous or dramatic scene from a published play. Extemporaneous Speaking: A limited preparation event for single competitors on current affairs of domestic or international politics. Impromptu: A limited preparation event for single competitors, focusing on structure and humor. Oral Interpretation: A scripted event for single competitors for interpretation of prose and poetry. Original Oratory: An original, memorized motivational ten minute speech. Parent Participation Opportunities We welcome and encourage parent participation with the Fresta Valley Debate and Forensics Team. Opportunities include attending local competitions and judging at tournaments. The team is required to provide parent and coach judges at the monthly events. We provide training and all the information you will need to be an effective judge. Contact Information:

Lisa Hailey for questions about Debate & Student Congress - 540-364-1929, x-121 (school),

703-929-6427 (cell), lhailey@frestavalley.org Diane King for questions about Competitive Speech & Interpretive events - 540-364-1929, x-106 (school), 540-219-2503 (cell), dking@frestavalley.org FORENSICS

to seek truth; a national honor society; a direct link to academic success!!